For Those Who Upgraded From MC452 to MC601

[salamander]

Very well stated. Having just switched from a MC452 to a pair of MC601 monoblocks, I fully agree with your observations.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by joey_v

I compared the 2 in great detail one after another, side by side.

The 601 are better in terms of wholeness to the sonic picture. The bass is better and it has more meat to the bones. Warmer sounding as well. I would say it's a good 15-20% improvement over the 452 to my ears.

Not sure if I should thank or curse you for this. Considering the upgrade.

[scirica]

Thinking about this further, if one runs twin subs (f113v2's) alongside their two-channel main speakers, would some of the benefits of the 601's over the 452 be diminished? I'm sure cross-talk (if any exists) would be eliminated, but wouldn't the dynamic properties and overall imaging improvement be less so with powered subs crossed over effectively with the CR-1?

I love my Bryston 14bsst2, but I've always thought that I'd like the synergy of matching the 452 or 601's to my C2500 pre-amp.

Make sense?

[jdandy]

Steve.......The only thing that doesn't make sense is you haven't bought 601's yet. .

[salamander]

Steve - Haven't tried it, but FWIW, your reasoning makes sense in theory. I recently switched my MC452 to 601's and one of the things that was most apparent was an increase in low frequency extension which was already very impressive with the 452. If you are alleviating either the 452 or 601 monoblocks from low frequency duty by using dual powered subs, I suspect the 601's and 452 would sound even more similar, with the 601's still having a slight edge in generating a slightly wider soundstage and a bit better imaging.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by tjarmstrong

I just upgraded from the MC452 to the MC601's. I was very content with the 452 but I've always wanted 601's since the first time I saw them. Considering the cost and everything I've read, I was a little concerned they would not be that much better than the 452. I have no way of auditioning these before purchasing. As soon as I turned on the 601's for the first time, those worries faded away.
My experience is similar to what Joey described as I'm hearing an overall improvement. I think we both have B&W's which could explain some of the similarities.
The 601's share a very similar, almost identical, sound signature to the 452. The 601's have more authority and control over the speakers which improves the bass, speed, and low extension along with giving it a more relaxed and effortless sound. Also, I'm hearing a bit bigger soundstage and more precise imaging. I'm guessing this due to the nature of mono amps with independent power supplies and extra channel separation.
These are not drastic differences from the 452 but enough to make me satisfied with the extra coin spent on the 601's. The 452 hangs very close to the 601's which makes it a great value.
As Dan mentioned in his 601 review, it's now harder to turn off the system at the end of the night. I don't see myself ever letting go of these amps.

Thanks for the reply Travis. I think eventually I'll sell the MC207 an get 3 MC601's and use the MC452 for my rear speakers. Wow getting chills just thinking of it.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by scirica

Thinking about this further, if one runs twin subs (f113v2's) alongside their two-channel main speakers, would some of the benefits of the 601's over the 452 be diminished? I'm sure cross-talk (if any exists) would be eliminated, but wouldn't the dynamic properties and overall imaging improvement be less so with powered subs crossed over effectively with the CR-1?

I love my Bryston 14bsst2, but I've always thought that I'd like the synergy of matching the 452 or 601's to my C2500 pre-amp.

Make sense?

Not sure if this answers your question but I have 1 JLAudio f113 sub and since the addition of my MC452 there is a seamless integration between the sub and my speakers that I didn't have before.

I suspect that the MC452 just has better control of my speakers making the speed of the woofers in my speakers matching the speed of the f113. (Hope that makes sense)

[scirica]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Steve.......The only thing that doesn't make sense is you haven't bought 601's yet. .

Damn you Dan!!

[miketuason]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Thanks for the reply Travis. I think eventually I'll sell the MC207 an get 3 MC601's and use the MC452 for my rear speakers. Wow getting chills just thinking of it.

Why not sell the 452 and get five 601s instead. This will sure give you the jibbys

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by tjarmstrong

I just upgraded from the MC452 to the MC601's. I was very content with the 452 but I've always wanted 601's since the first time I saw them. Considering the cost and everything I've read, I was a little concerned they would not be that much better than the 452. I have no way of auditioning these before purchasing. As soon as I turned on the 601's for the first time, those worries faded away.
My experience is similar to what Joey described as I'm hearing an overall improvement. I think we both have B&W's which could explain some of the similarities.
The 601's share a very similar, almost identical, sound signature to the 452. The 601's have more authority and control over the speakers which improves the bass, speed, and low extension along with giving it a more relaxed and effortless sound. Also, I'm hearing a bit bigger soundstage and more precise imaging. I'm guessing this due to the nature of mono amps with independent power supplies and extra channel separation.
These are not drastic differences from the 452 but enough to make me satisfied with the extra coin spent on the 601's. The 452 hangs very close to the 601's which makes it a great value.
As Dan mentioned in his 601 review, it's now harder to turn off the system at the end of the night. I don't see myself ever letting go of these amps.

Ummmm.... How about some pictures please.